Machine for



G. W. GWINN. MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS T0 CANS OR OTHER CONTAINERS.

1 APPLICATION F l LED APR. 20, 1916- 1,315,956.

Patented'Sept. 16', 1919.

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G. W. GWINN. MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS T0 CANS OR OTHER com AINEHS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-20, 1916- I Pa tnted Sept. 16, 1919.

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APPLICATION FILED APR- 20, l9l6.

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6.:W. GWINN. MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS T0 CANS OR OTHER CONTAINERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-20, 1915.

1,315,956. PatentedSept. 16, 1919.

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G. w; ewmw. MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS T0 CANS OR OTHER CONTAINERS.

APPLICATIUN FILED APR. 20.1916.

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'rnn STATES PATENT onrron.

enoiaen w.ew11v1v, or new YORK, N. Y., Assrenon T Auror/mrrc PACKine a LABELING COMPANY, or DURHAM, nonrn CAROLINA, A oonronA'rron or NORTH CAROLINA. A

MACHINE FOR APPLYING STAMPS 1'0 CANS OR OTHER GONTAINEBS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept 16, 1919.

Application filed April 20, 1916. Serial No. 92,485.

tainers, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to an unproved mechanism for applying stamps or the like to cans or similar containers. 7

One embodiment of my inventlon is disclosed in the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism;

Fig. 2 a to plan view;

Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 a sectional elevation, similar to Fig. 1, the parts being shown on an enlarged scale and showing a can which has just been passed through the stamp applying mechanism and having a stamp positioned thereon;

Fig. 5 a horizontal section on the line 55 of Fig. 1 (enlarged);

Fig. 6 a' detail view illustrating the presser foot or finger employed to hold the stamp as the can with the'stamp thereon is passed between the brushes or wipers employed to wipe the ends of thestamp down against the sides of the can;

Fig. 7 a detail sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 an elevation of the driving mecha nism employed to actuate the can retaining mechanism;

Fig. 9 a side elevation, parts being broken away, of the stamp feeding mechanism;

Fig. 10 a detail sectional elevation of the paste applying mechanism;

Fig. 11a detail perspective view of one of the can holders; and

Fig. 12 a vertical sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 4..

Tobacco is to a very being packed in tin cans having hinged lids and it is of course necessary to place revenue stamps on said cans, and thepresent invention pertains to an improved mechanism for effecting such operation. It is to be understood, however, that in its broader aspect large extent nowthe mechanism, or certain parts thereof, may be employed to place and secure stamps (which term is employed in a generic sense and is to be treated as the equivalent of a label, sealing strip or the like) on containers or packages other than cans.

The structure may be said in general terms to comprise stamp applying mechanism, including stam presenting and wiping devices; means for holding the can after the stamp is positioned thereon, including a conveyer or the like, and associated stamp pressing mechanism adapted to hold and press the stamp against the can; means, where the machine is automatic or the stamping mechanism is associated with can filling or other mechanisms, for presenting the cans to the stamping mechanism; and lid closing means where such can presenting means 1s present. I

In the form shown all such devices or mechanisms are employed.

eferring to the drawings 1 denotes a table, 2 a turret, having pockets 3 therein for the reception of cans 4:, having hinged lids 5. The cans are designed to be placed in the pockets by hand, or by any suitable transfer mechanism (not shown) where a weighing and packing mechanism is utilized. A step by step motion is imparted to the turret through any suitable mechanism, that shown comprising a pocketed wheel 6 secured to the turret supporting shaft 7 with which wheel cooperates a lever or arm 8 carrying a bowl 9. Constant rotation is imparted to the shaft carrying lever 8 through gears 10 and 11, the latter being secured upon a counter shaft 12 which carries a second gear 13meshing with a gear 14 secured upon a pOWGI or drlven shaft 15.

The cans as they are carried around by the turret intoposition over an opening 16 in the table are held in the pockets by guide rails 17 and 18 and prior to their reaching said opening the lids 5 are closed by a suitable mechanism, that shown being substantiallythe same as that set forth and claimed in my copending application filed on or about December 1st, 1914, Serial No. 875,016, now Patent No. 1,276,528, dated August 20, 1918.

. In general it may be said to comprise a cam shaped member 17, Fig. 5, which underlies the can top 5 and acts, as the can is advanced by the turret, to turn the lid or top upwardly and over and then down into closed position, a roller 18 being located adjacent the end of the cam and acting on the closed lid to force the same to its fully closed position.

When the can comes to rest over the opening 16 with its lid closed down, it is then moved upwardly into contact with a stamp to which paste has been applied and the stamp is clamped or pressed against the lid and the can and stamp carried up between devices which act to wipe its ends down and against the sides of the can.

Secured to a bracket 19, Fig. 3, in which one end of shaft 12 is supported, is a vertically disposed guide 20 upon which is mounted a slide 21, said slide having secured to it a link 22 to which in turn is pivotally secured a lever 23 (Fig. l) fulcrumed on a rod 24 (Fig. 2).

A roller 25 mounted on the lever Works in a cam groove 26 formed in one face of a cam 27 secured to shaft 15 and through this arrangement the slide 21 is periodically raised and lowered. Said slide has secured to it two vertically disposed rods 28 and 29, the former being provided at its upper end with a plate 30 adapted to contact with the bottom of the overlying can and to elevate or carry the same upwardly into contact with the stamp and between the two oppositely disposed and vertically arranged stationary brushes 31 and 32. Rod 29 is adapted to elevate a slide 35 which carries the finger 33, which as the can begins its upward movement comes to rest upon the stamp, indicated by 34.

Presser finger 33 is pivotally mounted on the slide 35, which is slidably mounted upon a fixed guide-way 36 secured to a bracket 37 fastened or supported by a cross bar 38 which in turn is secured to posts 39 (Fig. 3), extending upwardly from the bed or table 1. A spring 40 tends to draw the outer end of the finger downwardly, its descent being limited by the stop screw 41. Slide 35 is free to move or gravitate upon the guide 36, and to limit its downward movement it is provided with a lug 42 in which is preferably seated a cushion adapted when the slide is in in its lowest position to contact with an adjustable set screw 43 mounted in a lug extending outwardly from the guide or slide-way 36. Said screw is so adjusted that when the slide is in its lowest position the end of the presser finger will be held above the stamp which is drawn across the upward path of movement of the can at a point slightly above said top as will presently appear.

A second stop screw 44 is located adjacent the upper end of guide-way 36 and is adapted to contact with the rear end of finger 33 and rock the same from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 6 to that indicated in Fig. 4 when the slide is fully elevated, thus withdrawing the finger from the stamp against which it came into contact shortly after the can began its upward movement.

Normally the slide travels up with the can, being actuated by the rod 29 which contacts screw 45, finger 33 maintaining its pressure on the stamp. )Vhen, however, the slide 35 nears its limit of upward movement, the rear end of the pivoted finger 33 contacts with the adjustable screw 44, and the finger is rocked, bringing it to the position shown in Fig. 4, entirely free of the can and the then adherent stamp.

To maintain the can in its vertical position after it is removed from the turret suitable guides, forming what may be termed a guide-way, are provided. To one side of the turret, adjacent the opening 16 'there is secured a block or casting 45 (see Figs. 3 and 4) upon which are secured two U-shaped guide members 46 and 47 and extending upwardly and between them is a. guide plate 48 preferably formed of spring metal. Said members extend upwardly to a point where the stamp is drawn in a hori- Zontal direction across the top 01" the can, and above and to the rear secured to the cross bar 38 are two guides 49 and 50 which aline with guides 47 and 48. Another pair ot guides 51 and 52 are arranged opposite said last named guides and serve with the latter to hold the can against tilt ing as it is pushed upwardly between the brushes 31 and 32 which wipe the ends of the stamp against the sides of the cover and body.

Any form of stamp presenting mechanism may be employed which will place the stamps over the cans, one at a time.

Secured to shaft 12 is a cam 53 and a lever having three arms 54, 55 and 56 is fulcrumed at 57 on the bracket 19. A link 58 extending from the upper end of arm 55 is connected to a slide .39 mounted to reciprocate upon a bar or slide way (30 secured to columns 39. Said slide (see Fig. 9) carries a pair of pincers comprising a lixed jaw 1 and a pivoted jaw 62, the latter being provided with a downward extension (53 adapted, when the pincers near their limit of movement in the placement of a stamp, to contact with a fixed block 64 and to rock the upper jaw, or in other words to open the pincers against the stress of a spring 65 which tends normally to hold the aws closed. A latch 66 is drawn in by a spring 67 beneath a projection on said movable jaw when the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 9. at which time a stamp has been drawn through and across the can guide way. When moved the agency of a pusher mounted on anadjustable stem 71 carried in one end of a rocker arm 72 secured to a shaft 73. Said shaft is mounted in a slide 7 3 mounted on guide way 60 and carries a lever or finger 74;, the upper end of which lies between two fixed stops A and B, carried by theslide.

The upper end of said finger stands in line with a rod 7 5 adj ustably mounted in a block 76 secured to rod or bar 77 WhlCllllS secured to and extends outwardly from slide 59.

When, as shown in Fig. 9, the pincers are moved to the right and have released the withdrawn and then positioned stamp, the rod 7 5 will have come into contact with the lever 74 and will throw the pusher 7 0 against the lowermost stamp, the lever 74 coming to rest against the fixed stop B when, upon further movement, the lever 74L and slide 7 3 together with the arm 72 and pusher 7 0, will move to the right as one and protrude the stamp, as shown in Fig. 9. At the beginning of the return movement of the pincers to the left the rod 7 5 will move out of contact with lever 7 4:, and the pusher 70 will drop away from the stamp, the lever 74 swinging to the left and coming into contact with the fixed stop A. As the. pincers near their limit of movementto the left, a finger or projection 78, carried by the pincer slide 59, will hitthe lever 74: and throw it against the stop A, provided it has not gravitated against said stop, and thus move the slide 73 to the left into place where the pusher will again be in position to act upon the stamp which is subsequently exposed upon withdrawal of the then-protruded stamp.

Rod 77 is provided with a rack-upon its under face, said rack meshing with a gear 79 which in turn meshes with a gear 80, Fig. 10. Gear 80 is mounted loosely on its supporting shaft and imparts motion thereto in one direction only, through a clutch mechanism, indicated generally by 81, Fig; 10. A gear 82 secured to theopposite end of the shaft meshes with a gear 83 and the shaft which carries this gear likewise carries paste applying rolls 84, and a gear 85, the latter meshing with a gear 86 mounted on a shaft which carries the paste feeding roll 87. The latter is submerged in the paste receptacle 88. Through the clutch mechanism the paste rolls are driven as the stamp is advanced over the same and remain idle uponretrograde movement of the pincers. i

The parts are so timed that just prior to the ascent of the push rod 28 the stamp positioning mechanism will operate to draw a stamp out and place it over the can, the pincers remaining at the right, Fig. 9, until the rod 28 is moved upwardly, carrying the can with it and again descends. Said 70 rod comes to rest when it reaches its highest elevation so that the stamped can may be moved laterally into operative relation with suitable devices for applying a continued pressure to thestamps and tohold them 1111- 7 5 til they are dry.

The can when it is fully elevated stands to one side of bar 38 upon which, with its upper face in line with the bottom of the can, is a block or plate. 88 Fig. 1, and suit- 80 able mechanism is employed to shift the can laterally over this plate and onto one member of a can clamping mechanism, later described.

The shifting mechanism comprises an L- shaped casting 89, best shown in Fig. 2, to the forward end of which is secured a vertically-disposed bar or plate 90. The rear end of the casting 89 is secured to a slide 91 which is mounted in a slide way formed in a bracket 92 Figs. 2 and 3, a second vertically disposed push plate 98 being secured upon the outer end of the slide in vertical alinement with plate 90. Said shifting mechanism or hunter, as it may be termed, is actuated through the agency of a bell crank lever 94c, Fig. 1, a link or draw rod 95 being interposed between the upper end of the lever and the slide 91, while the lower arm of the lever is provided with a bowl 96 which works in a cam groove 97 of cam 27 i The can holding and stamp clamping mechanism, adapted tofully set and hold the stamps in contact with the cans until the paste is dry, may takevarious forms, and one which I have found highly efiicient is disclosed herein. It may be said to comprise a pair of endless chains carrying a series of can grasping carriers with which are associated brushes to act upon the ends of the stamps combined with means for pcriodically advancingthe chains step by step, and means for closing the clamps upon the cans and thereafter opening the same to dis- 11 charge the cans.

Secured to and extending upwardly and rearwardly from cross bar 38 is a. pair of brackets 98 and 99, Figs. 2 and 7 in which is journaled a shaft 100 and secured to the 2 shaft is a double sprocket wheel 101. A second shaft 102,Fig. 1, is sustained in a suitable support 103 and carries a spool like wheel 104:, the flanges of which fit between the links 105 of the endless chains of the carrier, the links being arranged in oppositely disposed pairs. Said links, see Fig. 11, are connected by cross pins 106 to the body member 107 of the can clamping device or carrier, said member being provided Psi;

at one end with an upstanding member or element 108.

Rollers 109 are also mounted on the pins and bear upon oppositely disposed upper and loWer guide bars or tracks 110 and 111, see Fig. 12, said tracks being supported by castings 112, see Fig. 4, which in turn are secured to intermediate supporting bars 113 attached at one end to brackets 98 and 99 and their opposite end to the support 103. As will be noted upon reference to Fig. 111, one end of body member 107 is recessed and is adapted to receive a block 114, provided with a downwardly extending bifurcated lug 115, having an eye through Which the adjacent .pin 106 freely passes. From one member of said lug an arm or lever 116 projects, and a roller 117 is mounted on one side thereof. A spring 118 fastened at one end to pin 106 next adjacent the member 108 is connected at its opposite end to a screw 118 secured in block 114 andtends under normal conditions to draw the block 114 to the fixed member 108. Said block 114 carries a presser plate 119 which when the block is rocked inwardly by the spring will the can, the bottom of the can at such time taking against the foot piece or element 108.

A cam 120, see Figs. 1 and 4, extends forwardly between the sprockets 101, and stands in line with and bears against the roller 117 when the holders stand in the position shown in Fig. 4 thereby tilting or rocking the member 114 and opening the holder or carrier so that a can may be moved into the then horizontally disposed shoe or element 108 by the hunter before described. The holders are successively opened a they are advanced and as they come to rest are each charged with a stamped can. As the chain moves, the roller 117 moves away from the cam and the spring serves to force the member 119 against the stamp and the latter against the can top. As the carrier or chain is advanced the cans are carried between a plurality of oppositely disposed brushes 121 supported by brackets 122 which brushes tend to wipe and hold the ends of the stamps against the sides of the cans. Suitable heating or drying devices, such as electric heaters, hot air blasts, well understood in the art may also be employed if desired.

The cans are finally discharged at a suitable point along the lower run of the carrier through the action of a cam 123 which opens the holder as shown in Fig. 4,-by acting on the roller 117.

The carrier has a step by step motion imparted thereto by the mechanism best shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 8.

Secured upon the outer end of shaft 100, Fig- 7, is atoothed wheel or ratchet 124, and journaled on the shaft immediately adjacent press against the stamp upon if one be at rest upon the body 107,

thereto is a sector gear 125, an arm 1126 ex tending outwardly therefrom and carrying a pawl 127, the latter being held in cooperative relation with the ratchet by a spring 128. An oscillating motion is imparted to the sector gear by means of a rack 129, which derives its motion from cam 53 and arm 56, said arm being connected by a link 130 to a lever 131 secured to a shaft 132 mounted in a bracket 133, the opposite end of said shaft carrying a lever 134, which in turn is connected by a shear or safety pin to a link or bar 135, the upper end of which iseonnected to the lower end of rack 129.

These connections impart a step by step movement to the carrier, the pawl 127 riding freely back over the ratchet wheel 124. Cam 53 is also formed with a dwell so that when the hunter is moving a can laterally and then retreating the carrier is at rest with one of the can clamping devices open and in position to receive a stamped can as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4.

As above indicated, the mechanism herein set forth may be directly associated and work in conjunction with a weighing and packing mechanism, such for instance as that shown in my co-pending application filed on or about the 29th day of December, 1914-, Serial No. 879,565, now Patent No. 1,221,313, dated April 4, 1917, to which reference is hereby made.

It is of course conceivable that instead of employing a carrier having separate and independent carriers for each of the stamped cans, as above set forth, other means may be employed to take care of the cans immediately the stamps are applied to hold the stamps in place until they are dry, as for instance a runway into which the cans are discharged and passed, and held in proper position with relation to each other and to suitable devices, as brushes, and the like, which effect a proper adhesion and drying of the stamps upon the cans.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of means for placing a stamp across the lid of the can with the ends of the stamp protruding beyond the lid a spring actuated member for pressing and holding the central portion of the stamp upon the lid; means acting to wipe the ends of the stamp against the sides of the can while the stamp is thus held; means for positively relieving the spring actuated members from such pressing relation and means acting to move the can endwise into operative relation with the stamp wiping means.

2. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of a way through which the cans may be moved; means for advancing the cans therethrough; brushes located on opposite sides of the way and operative on the ends "of the stamps; spring actuated means for pressing and holding the stamp upon the lid while passing between the brushes; and means for positively releasing said spring actuated means.

3. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of a way through which the cans may be moved; means for advancing the cans therethr-ough; brushes located on opposite sides of the way and operative on the ends of the stamps; and means for receiving and clamping the stamped cans one by one and thereby maintaining the stamps in close relation to the cans until the adhesive employed to secure the stamp is dry.

4. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of a way through which the cans may be moved; means for advancing the cans therethrough; means for positioning a stamp over each can lid as the cans are advanced; means for pressing the central portion of the stamp on the lid; means for drawing or forcing the ends of the stamp down upon the ends of the lid and can body; and means for receiving the stamped can, clamping the same and simultaneously exerting pressure upon the central portion of the stamp, and to thus hold it while it dries.

5. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of a way through which the cans may be moved; means for advancing the cans therethrough; means for positioning a stamp over each can; means for holding the stamp upon the top of the lid as the can is moved through the way; brushes located upon opposite sides of the way to wipe the ends of the stamp down against the can; means for releasing the stamp holding means; means for receiving the stamped cans and retaining the stamps under pressure until the adhesive employed is dry; and means for transferring the stamped can to said receiving means.

6. In a machine for stamping cans the combination of can presenting means; lid closing mechanism; means for actuating the can presenting means to thereby bring the cans into operative relation to said closing mechanism and associated stamp applying means.

7. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of a pocketed turret adapted to hold and advance cans; lid closing mechanism associated therewith; stamp applying means; and means for receiving the stamped cans and holding the stamps under pressure thereon until the stamps are dry.

8. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of a pocketed turret, adapted to hold and advance cans having hinged lids; a lid turning and closing mechanism associated therewith; a guide or way for the cans terminating at one end adjacent to the turret; means for drawing a stamp across said way; means for removing the cans from the turret and traversing the same through the way; and means associated with said way to wipe or draw the stamp upon the lid and sides of the can.

9. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of can presenting means; a guideway for the cans; means for advancing a stamp across said way; brushes located adjacent the sides of the way; a finger extending into the way and pressing the stamp upon the lid of the can; means for moving the can through the guideway and between the brushes; and means for releasing the finger when the can reaches its limit of movement through said way.

10. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of a guideway for the cans to be stamped; means for drawing a stamp across said way; a guide bar located to one side of said 'guideway; a slide mounted thereon; a finger pivoted to said slide, one end of the finger extending into the guideway above the stamp; a spring tending to draw the finger into contact with the stamp; means for moving the cans through the guideway; means to move the slide upwardly; and a fixed stop contacting with and rocking the finger when the can nears its limit of upward movement.

11. In a machine for applying stamps to cans the combination of means for presenting and applying a stamp to the lid and sides of a can; a plurality of can holders having a fixed and a movable member; means for moving the holders; means for opening the movable members of the hold ers for the introduction of the stamped can into the same; and means for moving such cans into the holders.

12. In amachine for applying stamps to cans, the combination of means for presenting and applying a stamp to the lid and sides of a can; a plurality of can-holders; means for moving the same; means for opening the holders for the introduction of a can into the same; means for moving the cans into the holders; and brushes associated with said holders to bear upon the ends of the stamps.

13. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of means for positioning and wiping a stamp upon a can; a receiver for such stamped can, comprising a body member having a fixed abutment, and a spring actuated jaw between which abutment and jaw the can with the stamp is clamped; and actuating means for operating said jaw.

14. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of means for placing a stamp over the end of a can; a plurality of interconnected can receiving and clamping members, each comprising a body member having a fixed abutment at one end, a pivoted jaw at the opposite end, and a spring acting to move the jaw toward the abutment; means for opening said jaws to receive a stamped can; and means for moving said can receiving and clamping members.

15. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of means for placing a stamp over the end of a can; a plurality of interconnected can receiving and clamping members, each comprising a body member having a fixed abutment at one end, a pivoted jaw at the opposite end, and a spring acting to move the jaw toward the abutment; means for opening said jaws to receive a stamped can; means for moving said can receiving and clamping members; and means acting on the ends of the stamps as said members are moved to press the same against the sides of the cans.

16. In a machine for stamping cans, the combination of means for placing a stamp over the end of a can; a plurality of interconnected can receiving and clamping members, each comprising a body element havmg a fixed abutment at one end, a jaw piv- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the oted to the opposite end of the body; a roller carried by said jaw, and a. spring serving to swing the jaw toward the fixed abutment; means for traversing said members; and

means acting successively on each roller to open the associated jaw to can and then permitting to its closed position.

17. In a machine for stamping cans having hinged lids, the combination of lid closing mechanism; means for presenting the cans to said mechanism, said means and mechanism being relatively movable; and associated means for applying a stamp over the closed lid.

18. In a machine for stamping cans having hinged lids, the combination of lid closing mechanism; means movable in relation thereto for presenting cans to such mechareceive a stamped the jaw to swing nism; and associated stamp applying means for placing a stamp over the lids of the cans after such lids are closed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE IV. GWINN.

Commissioner of latents,

Washington, D. C. 

